Language and Symbols LGBTI QA+ what does it all mean? The language of the LGBTI community is constantly evolving. Communities and sub-cultures are still being defined, and thus the language and labels associated with the LGBTI community also changes. Some have even adopted previous slurs to now proudly describe themselves. With this in mind the information below is the currently accepted language of the LGBTI communities. I is about understanding bodily difference; LGB Intersex LGB is about sexual orientation and who you are attracted to; Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual QA+ These are not always added to the acronym. TI Q is about not fitting into a specific definition; T is about understanding a different gender Queer or Questioning, identity from the body you were born into; A is not having sexual attraction; Asexual transgender + is "Plus everything else" Sexual Orientation -Who you are attracted to romantically and/or physically Lesbian Homosexual A woman whose primary emotional and physical A generic term to describe people whose primary attraction is towards other women. Another phrase emotional and physical attraction is towards people is “women who have sex with women” of the same sex as themselves. Another term that is used is “same sex attracted” Gay Bisexual A term generally used to describe men whose primary emotional and physical attraction is A term to describe someone whose primary towards other men. This term is also used by emotional and physical attraction is for people, women as a generic term for homosexual. It can regardless of gender. also be an umbrella term for the community as a whole, but it does then leave out a number of Asexual community groups. A term to describe someone who is generally not emotionally or physically attracted to any people. Asexuality is not the same as celibacy www.unitingnetworkaustralia.org.au Page 1 of 4 #openandaffirming #LGBTIQgifts Pansexual Queer A term used to describe someone who is attracted An umbrella term sometimes used by LGBTIQ to all people regardless of their sexual identity, people to refer to the entire LGBT community. It is gender identity or intersex status. Similar to also used as an alternative word that some people bisexual but includes all the other gender options. use to "queer" the idea of the labels and categories such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc. It is Sexuality important to note that the word queer is an in- group term, and a word that can be considered The expression of a person’s desires attractions, offensive to some people, depending on their sexual activity and personal expression through generation, geographic location, and relationship dress and personal interactions. This is not a with the word. conscious choice or decision. To assert that sexuality is a choice will cause offence and is Questioning regarded as a lack of understanding of the basic definition of the term. For some, the process of exploring and discovering one's own sexual orientation. Heterosexual/Straight A generic term to describe people whose primary emotional and physical attraction is towards people of the opposite sex as themselves. Gender – Body and Behaviour Biological sex one’s sex. For example, someone who is female, and who dresses and behaves in a way that is Sex (sometimes called biological sex, anatomical traditionally associated with being female. This is sex, or physical sex) is comprised of things like your traditional "male" and "female". genitals, chromosomes, hormones, body hair, and more. But one thing it’s not: gender. Intersex Gender identity Intersex variation – a person who is born with bodily differences that can include a A person’s sense of identity in relation to the variance in reproductive organs (anatomy), categories of male and female. This is different hormones and/or sex chromosomes (DNA) that are from sexuality and should not be confused. Sexual not exclusively male or female. Many forms of diversity exists within the gender diverse intersex exist; it is a spectrum or umbrella term, community. Trans*people can be heterosexual, rather than a single category. At least 30 or 40 gay, lesbian or bisexual. For some people, this different variations are known to science. internal identity may not match their external physical body. Transgender Gender expression This is an umbrella term for people whose sense of gender is outside of the traditional idea of male or Refers to how we express ourselves in terms of female. It can also be used to define someone who our gender. It includes things like our hair styles, has gender dysphoria, a condition where their the clothes we wear, the ‘look’ we have and the biological body does not match with their internal activities and hobbies we do. Terms like own sense of gender. Some people transition so ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ are often used to define that they can live as their innate gender identity. these expressions. Sometimes people do not Gender dysphoria is not a choice and to imply match what Australian society has defined as what otherwise is highly offensive and shows a lack of men and women should look like or do. understanding of gender identity issues. Trans* people are subject to high levels of discrimination, Cisgender verbal and physical abuse from others and a lack Is a term used in the context of gender issues to of understanding from the general community. Not refer to people whose gender identity and all Transgender people have had reaffirmation behaviour or role is considered appropriate for surgery. www.unitingnetworkaustralia.org.au Page 2 of 4 #openandaffirming #LGBTIQgifts Queer Genderqueer An umbrella term sometimes used by LGBTIQ A term used by people who possess identities people to refer to the entire LGBT community. It is which fall outside of the widely accepted sexual also used as an alternative word that some people binary (i.e. "men" and “women"). use to "queer" the idea of the labels and Genderqueer may also refer to people who identify categories such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, as both transgendered AND queer, i.e. individuals etc. Similar to the concept of genderqueer. It is who challenge both gender and sexuality regimes important to note that the word queer is an in- and see gender identity and sexual orientation as group term, and a word that can be considered overlapping and interconnected offensive to some people, depending on their generation, geographic location, and relationship Ally with the word. Typically any non-LGBTI person who supports and Questioning stands up for the rights of LGBTI people, though LGBTI people can be allies, such as a lesbian who For some, the process of exploring and is an ally to a transgender person. discovering one's own sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression Definitions taken from- https://internationalspectrum.umich.edu/life/definitions Each of these concepts sit on a sliding scale, for more information see the Gender resource. How to establish inclusive dialogue (Adapted from Queensland Association for Healthy Communities –LGBTI Identities fact sheet) Use correct name and pronoun consistently Never assume someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity If you are unsure how to address someone, ask in a sensitive and respectful manner If you are really unsure, use gender- neutral pronouns and let the other person lead the way Employ best practice by using terms your client has conveyed to you If you don’t know – ask – there is no such thing as a stupid question Language and how it changes: The LGBTIQA+++……. acronym is growing, and this will continue to occur as smaller minorities are labelled and acknowledged publicly Event within generations there is a shift in language and peoples comfort levels with using it. e.g. Queer is often seen as a derogatory term, yet the younger generation (predominantly) has embraced this former slur and made it their own. That being said some older LGBTI community members proudly stand up and announce themselves as queer. As one of the fastest evolving cultures, the language used to describe the LGBTI community is also evolving fast. Each group and sub culture within communities including the LGBTI communities has its own language. Listen to the personal you are talking to and take your language cues from them. For more information on the evolution of the LGBTI language visit: http://smartgaylife.com/lgbt-community- language/ www.unitingnetworkaustralia.org.au Page 3 of 4 #openandaffirming #LGBTIQgifts Flags for all LGBTI Rainbow flag This flag Bisexual Flag represents the LGBTI Michael Page Community as a designed the whole. The first flag in 1998. It rainbow flag comprises of was designed in magenta, 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a San Francisco artist, in lavender and response to calls by activists for a symbol for the royal blue in a community. Baker used the five-striped “Flag of ratio of 2:1:2. Or two fat stripes in pink and blue, the Race” as his inspiration, and designed a flag with a thinner purple stripe sandwiched between with eight stripes: pink, red, orange, yellow, them. Each colour had a specific meaning: pink, a colour often associated with homosexuality, green, blue, indigo, and violet. (www.stop- represents same sex attraction; blue, its opposite homophobia.com/rainbow-flag-history) in the common consciousness if not on the colour wheel, different sex attraction; and the purple a Transgender Flag melding of the two. (www.thisisbiscuit.co.uk/hoisting-our- The colours-a-brief-history-of-the-bisexual-pride-flag/) Transgender Pride flag was designed by Other symbols Monica Helms, Transgender – not colour and was first dependant shown at a pride parade in Phoenix, Arizona, United States in 2000. The flag represents the transgender community and consists of five horizontal stripes, two light blue, two pink, with a white stripe in the centre.